Kenyan MPs vote to increase pay, defy president on wage reforms

May 28, 2013|Reuters

NAIROBI, May 28 (Reuters) - Kenyan members of parliament,already among the best-paid legislators in the world, on Tuesdayvoted to increase their own salaries in defiance of plans to cuttheir pay as part of public spending reforms.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, who won a closely fought March 4election on an economic growth agenda, has implored lawmakers toaccept pay cuts and help rein in public sector salaries to freeup cash to create jobs.

"We do have the requisite number and quorum to pass thatmotion," Joyce Laboso, the Deputy Speaker of the assembly said,after MPs on both sides of the house voted overwhelmingly forhigher pay, which has already drawn street protests.